New Hampshire Humorist’s Fundraising Called ‘Creative, Fun, Energetic and Incredibly Productive’
Mike Morin
New Hampshire columnist and radio broadcaster Mike Morin, who has used his public forum to raise millions of dollars to help others is being recognized as this year’s winner of the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award. He will receive the honor at the 37th annual conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists in Hartford, Conn., June 27-30.
Morin writes a twice-a-month humor column for The Telegraph of Nashua, N.H. He is perhaps better known as the co-host of the popular “New Hampshire in the Morning” show on radio station WZID in Manchester, N.H. Raymond R. Garon, president and general manager of the Manchester Radio Group, nominated Morin for the award, calling him “a terrific co-worker and employee.”
“Mike is in the business of communications and is offered numerous opportunities to be involved in goodwill initiatives throughout New Hampshire,” Garon said. “Many people in Mike’s position would pick and choose carefully and accept a handful of these invitations; but not Mike! He accepts far more often than he rejects. Not only does he agree to contribute to these events by hosting or publicizing. Mike will give 100 percent of himself and then not look for the recognition in return.”
The Will Rogers Humanitarian Award is presented annually by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists to a writer whose work has positively affected readers’ lives and produced tangible humanitarian benefits.
Morin’s nomination was supported by statements from his editor, Terrence L. Williams, and John H. Lynch, 2005-13 governor of New Hampshire.
Williams said Morin’s columns for The Telegraph “include a self-effacing sense of humor that is endearing.” He added, “Mike is clearly someone who sees for himself a charitable role in our communities. He has used his media connections – and celebrity – to advance the causes of many organizations.” Williams since has left The Telegraph for the Keene (N.H.) Sentinel and SentinelSource.com.
Lynch said he and Morin participated together in many fundraisers for nonprofit charity organizations. He cited two of Morin’s many contributions: “Mike has been very committed to raising money to help fight breast cancer,” he said, and that he has been “incredibly active” in helping children, “particularly around the holidays.
“I personally don’t think that there is anything more noble that we can do than to try to make a positive difference in the lives of other people,” Lynch said, “that because of what we do, other people are better off. That philosophy and approach are part of who Mike Morin is.”
Lynch issued a proclamation in observance of Morin’s 10 years at WZID. He proclaimed June 11, 2012, as “Mike Morin Day,” saying, “Thousands of New Hampshire citizens start their day listening to the wit and humor of Mike Morin.” Lynch said Morin’s involvement in charitable fundraising activities “is creative, fun, energetic and incredibly productive.”
As an example, Morin served as celebrity auctioneer for a Salem, N.H. Boys & Girls Club event in March 2013 which broke records with proceeds of around $150,000. He made a blood donation for the American Red Cross while broadcasting live. Morin, who enjoys baking as a hobby, did a TV cooking demonstration promoting healthy eating for the American Cancer Society. And in November 2012 he bought a box of Hostess Twinkies the day the firm went out of business and teamed up with Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas to raise $1,000 to kick of the Union Leader’s Santa Fund to benefit the Salvation Army.
Morin’s career in broadcasting is the subject of his recently published book, Fifty Shades of Radio: True Stories of a Radio Morning Guy Being Wired, Tired and Fired. During his 42 years in the business, he has been buried alive three times for charity, played over 350,000 songs and interviewed two presidents along with hundreds of celebrities.
His career has taken him from the tiny town of Grayling, Mich., to the top broadcast market of New York City as well as Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Boston, since playing his first record in 1971. Morin also wrote a DJ comedy/prep service used by 140 personalities in the 1980s. He was a TV weatherman in Toledo and co-host of candlepin bowling television shows in New Hampshire and Boston for nine years.
Besides his humor column, Morin also has written for New Hampshire magazine, Northeast FLAVOR, Around Concord, The Boston Globe and Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
